An inquest into the death of TT racer Daley Mathison has ruled he died as a result of a tragic accident.

The 27-year-old died on the third lap of the Superbike race on June 3, 2019, after his bike collided with a tree near the Snugborough Trading Estate.

Coroner of Inquests Jayne Hughes reconvened the inquest into Mr Mathison’s death on Friday and heard evidence from other riders, the emergency services, marshals and crash investigators.

Mr Mathison’s wife Natalie took part in proceedings via live link.

Mrs Hughes heard that the rider’s BMW S1000RR struck trees before bursting into flames between Ashlar Drive and the Snugborough Trading Estate near Union Mills.

Marshals had to use cement dust to put out the fire as the only fire extinguisher wasn’t working.

The inquest heard that Mathison had lost control of his bike after being ’far off the racing line’ on what is a fast section of the course.

Anthony Bode, a vehicle examiner working for the Department of Infrastructure, examined Mr Mathison’s bike after his crash.

He said that the bike was badly damaged but that he was satisfied there were no defects prior to the crash which would have led to it.

A number of people near the crash say they saw Mr Mathison’s rear tyre ’oscillating’ prior to his crash. Mr Bode said this can be caused by an increase in power being applied to the bike and is not a clear sign of a defect.

debris

Police officers who attended the scene told the inquest there was ’lots of debris’ as a result of the crash.

Mrs Hughes said there were ’various explanations as to why he lost control’ but said that as there was no footage of the crash, it was not possible to confirm exactly what this was.

In recording her verdict, the coroner said Mr Mathison had died an ’accidental death as a result of motor racing’. While believing he had lost control, she said this was not a criticism of Mr Mathison, who lived in Stockton-on-Tees, as even the most senior riders have done so on the TT course.

Mrs Hughes also criticised the organisers the Department of Enterprise and the Auto Cycle Union for not ensuring all fire extinguishers on the course were working.

She said it was ’unacceptable’ that marshals had to use cement powder to put out the fire but commended those who did so for their quick thinking. She added ’equipment costs should not be an issue’.

In closing, she made recommendations to DfE and the ACU that they must ensure all fire extinguishers around the course are working and accessible. This will include signs being put at marshal points telling them where the nearest extinguisher is.

Mrs Hughes expressed her condolences to Mr Mathison’s family and friends and, at his wife’s request, ordered that the BMW bike be held at the test centre as she and her legal team may seek further examinations.